CNI News
2 July 2026
Economic and political communities have pointed out that an increasing number of school-aged children in Myanmar are dropping out of school due to the political crisis and armed conflicts, which is delaying th country's development.
According to a survey by the Institute for Strategy and Policy-Myanmar (ISP Myanmar), more than 6.3 million children have lost their right to basic education and are leaving school grounds for the 2026–2027 academic year. This is driven by the 2021 political transition, armed conflicts, and economic crises.
While census data shows there are around 13 million school-aged children, only about 6.7 million have enrolled for the current school year. This means nearly half of the school-aged population—over 6.3 million children—is losing out on educational opportunities.
Sai Tun Lin, a former Pyithu Hluttaw (House of Representatives) MP for Mone from the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party, told CNI News that while Myanmar is striving to achieve education on par with other countries, such a high number of dropouts delays nation-building and development.
"If there are fewer educated people, the development of that country will naturally be lower. As long as the country remains unstable, children cannot study, making the education of our children extremely worrying. They are losing their rights—that's how I see it," he said.
Students enrolling in school.
Economic analyst U Thet Zaw told CNI News that nation-building requires many intellectuals and professionals, making educated people highly essential.
"If they leave school, a lack of educated people leads to a decline in critical thinking and reasoning. Building a country requires a lot of intellectuals and professionals. Young people are future leaders, so if future potential leaders lack education, what will happen? That is why education is a must. You cannot have knowledge without learning," he said.
Political analyst U Htet Aung Kyaw told CNI News that the school dropout rate in Myanmar is increasing annually, and another plan for non-formal education needs to be drawn up for the future of these students.
Students enrolling in school.
"Even if we cannot reintegrate all these dropout children into formal education for their future, we must consider what we can do for them through informal education. Furthermore, there must be another educational plan designed for their future prospects. I think it is necessary to implement these effectively," he said.
Additionally, students who have been displaced and forced to flee due to armed conflicts are facing difficulties enrolling in schools because they lack school-leaving certificates and transfer certificates.
